Save the files

Published 12:00 am, Thursday, January 20, 2011

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 2

Assemblyman Phil Boyle of Bay Shore, at podium, is joined by members of the Assembly and Senate in calling for a bill to make it a crime for any elected official to knowingly destroy open constituent case files in a press briefing in the Legislative Office Building in Albany January 19, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Assemblyman Phil Boyle of Bay Shore, at podium, is joined by members of the Assembly and Senate in calling for a bill to make it a crime for any elected official to knowingly destroy open constituent case files ... more

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Image 2 of 2

Assemblyman Phil Boyle of Bay Shore, at podium, is joined by members of the Assembly and Senate in calling for a bill to make it crime for any elected official to knowingly destroy open constituent case files in a press briefing in the Legislative Office Building in Albany January 19, 2011. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) less

Assemblyman Phil Boyle of Bay Shore, at podium, is joined by members of the Assembly and Senate in calling for a bill to make it crime for any elected official to knowingly destroy open constituent case files ... more

Photo: Skip Dickstein

Save the files

1 / 2

Back to Gallery

Citing several instances of "political payback" where outgoing legislators have left their successors bare offices, a group of legislators led by Assemblyman Phil Boyle, R-Long Island, has proposed a bill to criminalize the destruction or removal of constituent case files from legislative offices. Legislators regularly keep files detailing efforts to assist constituents seeking help with government agencies. Under the law, their destruction would be punishable by up to a year in prison and a $25,000 fine. Boyle is flanked by four of his Republican colleagues: Bob Oaks of Macedon, Marc Molinaro of Tivoli, John Ceretto of Niagara Falls and Steve McLaughlin of Melrose.